sound problem in F20, F21, F22

[stan]

On Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:03:34 -0500
Steven Stern <subscribed-lists at sterndata.com> wrote:

> On 06/02/2015 01:52 PM, dwoody5654 wrote:
> > Posted here and on alsa mailing list some time ago - many comments
> > but none fixed the problem.
> > This is the link to bug report:
> > https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1101278
> > 
> > And now I am officially confused.
> > To recap:
> > This computer is used for Mythtv.
> > The computer was build by me in 2007 using a Asus m2a-vm MB and
> > until kernel 3.12.x sound has always worked. I always used alsa not
> > pulseaudio.
> > 
> > The F20 initial release, sound worked with 3.11.10-301.fc20.i686+PAE
> > All future releases of the kernel the sound did not work.
> > Searched Asus for a bios upgrade to address the problem - no upgrade
> > related.
> > 
> > Tried the following live dvd releases (stock live session included
> > pulseaudio) to no avail:
> > 
> >    F21 xfce
> >    F22 xfce
> >    Centos 7.0
> >    Linux mint 17.1
> > 
> > Since F20 is EOL and should move to F21 I bought a sound card for
> > the computer (Diamond brand from Best Buy).
> > 
> > Booting the 3.11.x kernel.
> > Sound card was recognized. I set Mythtv to use the new sound card.
> > Sound worked.
> > 
> > Booting the 3.19.x kernel
> > Sound card was recognized.
> > Sound did not work.
> > 
> > I put a new drive (spare) in the computer.
> > Install F22 xfce instead of a live session. Sound card was
> > recognized. Used Rhythmbox to test. No sound. Pulseaudio volume
> > control clearly showed sound coming in.
> > 
> > I thought that adding a sound card would have worked around the
> > problem and it did not.
> > I am clearly over looking something but do not know what.
> > 
> > Any ideas on what to do or look for next will be very appreciated,
> > 
> > David
> > 
> 
> Run the pulse audio volume control and make sure the new sound card is
> the default output and that rhythmbox is playing to it.
> 

Another suggestion.  Run  aplay -lv  .  That will show you the devices
that alsa thinks are on your system.  Sometimes, a video card will look
like a sound device to alsa.  And if you have more than one sound
device, they can be loaded in different order each time.

There is a way to pin devices to locations in alsa.  It has to do with
putting a file in /etc/modprobe.d.  A search should turn up the
technique and some samples if you need it.  

You can also check whether your device is configured correctly under
alsa using alsamixer -c[device number].  Make sure that everything is
turned on, and the volumes are reasonable.

Alsa is under pulse, so if it isn't configured correctly, pulse will
have problems.